ACSI Survey Rates Major Fast Food, Full Service Restaurants

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Small restaurant chains are gaining customer satisfaction as the largest chains deteriorate, according to a report released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). ACSI data show that Americans ate out an average of four meals per week in 2013, representing a 60 percent increase since the end of the Great Recession. Also, they are happier with their restaurant dining experiences. Customer satisfaction with full-service restaurants is up 1.2 percent to an ACSI score of 82, holding a slim lead over fast food (80).

Customer satisfaction for smaller restaurant chains is up 2 percent to an ACSI score of 83, the best in the full-service category. Meanwhile, all of the largest chains experience drops in customer satisfaction. Outback Steakhouse and Darden’s Olive Garden (both at 80) top the other large chains, but Outback slips 1 percent and Olive Garden’s guest satisfaction is down 4 percent from a year ago. Red Lobster takes the biggest fall, down 6 percent to 78 alongside Applebee’s (-5% to 78), but Chili’s patrons are the least satisfied by far (-5% to 74).

Customer satisfaction with limited-service restaurants is steady at an ACSI score of 80. This marks the third year in a row that fast food restaurants have maintained their highest-ever level of customer satisfaction.

Smaller is better for quick-service restaurants too, and the aggregate ACSI score of these restaurants climbs 2 percent to 84, offsetting declines for many of the largest fast food chains. The group of smaller chains-including the rapidly growing fast casual segment with brands like Panera and Chipotle-now has a higher level of satisfaction than any of the major fast food operators since the Index’s inaugural year of 1994.

Among the biggest companies, pizza dominates, with all four of the largest pizza chains topping the category. Papa John’s (unchanged) and Pizza Hut (+3%) share the lead at 82, with Little Caesar (-2%) and Domino’s Pizza (-1%) not far behind at 80.

Subway falls out of the top spot (-6% to 78) to tie with Wendy’s, and Burger King is unchanged at 76. Starbucks is down 5 percent to 76, followed closely by coffee rival Dunkin’ Donuts at 75 (-6%). KFC declines the most, dropping 9 percent to 74. Fellow Yum! Brands chain Taco Bell is also down (-3% to 72). At the bottom of the category, McDonald’s dips 3 percent to 71.

The full report is available for free download at www.theACSI.org. Follow the ACSI on Twitter at @theACSI and Like us on Facebook.